Volcano Fever Road Trip: 7 or 12 Days of Skiing in Chile and Argentina

September 10-17 or 22, 2017

An Amazing South American Ski Experience

Connect to the old-school Chilean and Argentinian ski experience with Kate Howe and Kipp Ertl as your guides!

Ski Chile and Argentina in the spring during our North American mud season. Fall in love with small ski areas that are rich with history, built by local ski clubs and run with passion.

Choose seven or twelve days, this trip is full of fun and funky places, some of which have been in business for a hundred years.

These places are off the beaten track, have wonderful lift-served access, as well as amazing touring from the top of the lift at most areas.

The Skiing

The in-bounds skiing at most locations varies from blue terrain to black terrain with some double black options for the adventurous. We will split the group into two or three, depending on personal goals, experience level, and fitness.

Group One

Skis in-bounds on the endless corn snow in incredibly long, sustained pitch runs with one of our spectacular coaches.

Our experienced and certified guides and instructors will be complimented by local certified guides working with us at each of the amazing areas we get to play in.

Group Two

Ride the lift to cut your climb in half. Then, work on Intro to Touring: learn how to use your Alpine Touring set up.

Most of these areas offer ideal situations for easy touring to spectacular vistas.

Work on the basics: putting your skins on and taking them off, proper and efficient skinning technique, learning and perfecting kick turns. Practice self-arrest and tour around.

Group Three

The Summiteers: the final push to the top of the volcano often includes a trip to mixed-condition snow.

Learn how and when to use your ski-crampons, when to switch to crampons on your boots, etc. Go for a nice walk to the top of a volcano crater, and in some cases, ski down inside and boot back out.

Where and How

The Region

We will be traveling in a circuit which begins in Puerto Mont, the beautiful city at the top of the famed Carretera Austral or Southern Route. This area is full of volcanoes, lakes, hot springs, lush rain forests, and great wine. What's not to love?

We'll eat amazing food in all kinds of settings, from a fun local asado at a friend's house to a picnic in the back of the van (with amazing cured meats and cheeses, and again, lots and lots of that awesome Chilean vino), to incredible local restaurants on the waterfront.

Getting Around

We will be traveling in a lovely well-appointed van that is comfy and has big, squishy chairs for each of you to bliss out in. The drive between areas is no more than 3 hours, with most legs being only an hour and a half apart.

We'll be staying in everything from Cabanas to five-star hotels along the way.

Make your Deposit andSave your spot! You DON'T want to miss this one!

This is going to be a fun, funny, wonderful, adventurous trip of a lifetime to the "small" funky, authentic, local volcanoes that drive Chilean ski culture. When I made this trip two years ago, it was incredible. You won't want to miss it! Join Kipp Ertl and Kate Howe on this fantastic journey! Spaces are Limited!

The Itinerary

Day 1 - September 10 – Fly into Puerto Montt, Chile (via Santiago)

Stay overnight in Puerto Varas, about a 30 minute drive from Puerto Montt.

Day 2 - Sept. 11 – Enjoy the Town, Ski Osorno

Enjoy the beautiful small town of Puerto Varas with a bike ride or a hike, or visit the beach. Breathtaking views of Volcan Osorno across the lake. Stay overnight in Aremko Aguas Callientes, wonderful little hot springs cabanas in town.

Afternoon option to drive to Osorno and ski a few laps for those eager to get on the snow. (40-60 min drive). Lots to do in Puerto Varas! Tonight we have a group dinner at one of the many great restaurants in this small town.

Day 3 – Sept. 12 - Ski Osorno

Ski at a wonderful small resort with one lift and t-bars which go to steeper terrain. Lift access to access to Volcan Osorno, an incredible volcano with amazing views to the lake.

Climb through some well marked glaciated terrain to the summit of Osorno volcano, or enjoy excellent in- bounds skiing. Snack at cafe at the base at the end of the day, Wine, salami and cheese at the vans, drive to Antillianca.

We will leave Osorno around 6 pm. Drive to Aguas Calientes, 120 KM away, 1 hour and 47 minutes. Check into your Aquas Calientes Cabana and meet for dinner at the local restaurant at 9 pm.

Day 4 - Sept. 13 – Antillianca and Aguas Calientes

Hike in the lush jungle, soak in the hot springs, ski the volcano! An incredible little mom and pop ski club, this area has been open for 80+ years. We'll drive through the rain forest to the base of the ski area after a leisurely breakfast.

Nothing really softens until 11 am this time of year, so you can sleep in a bit. Options for non-skiers for the day or those resting: hike around in the rain forest near the hot springs, soak, check out the incredible river, take a short walk to the waterfall. Several of thecharming cabins have hot tubs on the deck.

Thermals close at 8pm and open at 8am. Hot tubs are 24 hours. All cabanas have full kitchens, and there is a decent restaurant at the Cabanas as well. Cabanas sleep 4-8 people.

Option for special evening: Dinner at the incredible five-star hotel down the road, and use of their exclusive spa and hot springs. Hot springs close at 8 for non-guests. My suggestion is that we arrange a nice dinner if the clients would like a mid-week treat, and use the hot springs, and that we then stay at Aguas Callientes.

Day 5 – Sept.15 - Ski Antillianca

Ski in bounds, climb Volcan Casablanca to the summit, or do one of many easy tours via lift served access. Apres at the nice old ski lodge/hotel up there before the 40-minute drive back down to the Hot Springs.

Amazing hiking near the hot springs, endless touring in the Casablanca Volcano area at the top of Antillianca ski area. Leave for the charming town of Villa La Angustora in Argentina after a full day of skiing, around 6 pm from the base of Antillianca after a nice apres at the ski club.

Cross the border into Argentina. The border crossing closes at 7 pm. Stay overnight in a small hotel run by our friend Santiago Mazza and his family in this charming town, eat together at Santi's favorite local restaurant.

Day 6 - Sept. 16 – Ski Cerro Bayo

This small ski area is a gem high above a beautiful lake, and offers wonderful lift-served skiing and access to great non-volcanic ski touring. Stay overnight in Villa La Angostura, experience an authentic Asado with friends, explore the town, if weather permits enjoy a beautiful drinks cruise on the lake together.

September 17 - Head back to Puerto Montt and fly home or Continue to Bariloche

Optional: Day 7 – Drive to Bariloche, Ski Bariloche, Prep Hut Trip

Drive to Bariloche, Argentina. (82.3 km, about 1 hour 40 min). Stay in a hotel in town in Bariloche, forage for yourself for dinner (walking distance suggestions given.)

This day is an optional ski or rest day. Ski in bounds at the Bariloche ski area, take a lake excursion, go shopping in the town, or unwind at your hotel. Hut trip GEAR CHECK and meeting at 6:00 pm at the hotel.

Dinner is on your own, options and suggestions made. Prepare for an early morning departure. Evening check out for early am departure.

Day 8, 9 , 10 - Sept. 18, 19, 20 – Bariloche (Frey Hut Trip)

This outstanding trip is one that Ingrid Backstrom described to me as “the trip of a lifetime” when we skied together in Portillo a few years ago. Ingrid described it as one of the best trips she has ever taken, and who am I to argue with that?

We will visit three huts, the first two of which are manned by a lovely local couple. The Hut Master makes Fondu, breakfast and everything for you. When it is time to depart for hut #3, he sends you with the food you will need for the final hut.

Day 11 - Sept. 21 - – Frey Hut

Ski out of the Frey Hut and stay at Charming - a five star Luxury Lodge & Private Spa on the lake, relax in your private jaccuzi tub and eat a sumptuous dinner, prepare to fly home the next day.

Day 12 - Sept. 22 – Drive to Puerto Montt, Fly to Santiago, Fly to US

The drive from Bariloche to Puerto Montt is 4 hours and 15 minutes, and from there you connect to Santiago, and then to the US.

Make your Deposit andSave your spot! You DON'T want to miss this one!

This is going to be a fun, funny, wonderful, adventurous trip of a lifetime to the "small" funky, authentic, local volcanoes that drive Chilean ski culture. When I made this trip two years ago, it was incredible. You won't want to miss it! Join Kipp Ertl and Kate Howe on this fantastic journey! Spaces are Limited!